Cool Pants April 13, 2008

Larkee jeans/Diesel    Paid/UrbanOutfitters     

Cool guys who want don’t want to wear jeans all the time, have some wonderful options this spring/summer season. Welcome to the new crop of cool pants!

Here are some tips when you are shopping for your new cool pair.
The new pant is…:
- Colorful & funky: if you like jeans, and want a bit of an edge try some colored jeans. I really like stuff from Diesel and 7 for All Mankind. Start from green or grey hues, like the Diesel jeans featured here, and then you can move to something organic, white and cotton.
- Plaid: this is a cross between 50s cool with a 2008 edge and you have to have a nice figure. A beer belly and this kind of style does not work. I mean this. But, if you have the bod, check out urban outfitters for styles similar to what we are showing here.
- The New Cargo: the new cargo pant has shape, the material is soft and the color is dark blue, grey black or mocha my favorire. John Varvatos has the best.
- Cotton, pistripe & stretch: this is another style which reminds me of the French Riviera of the 1960s. Pair them with a white linen shirt and aviators and you’ll be the coolest on the block.

FORGET:
- Chinos: it is so last year. Don’t even think about them anymore
- Corduroys: they are cool for fall and early spring, but as soon as the temperature rises above 60 degrees, they automatically look heavy and warm. Not a good option for summer unless you live in Canada or Vermont or you’re re-living the Woodstock era.

Happy Spring!

Pinstripe/Theory                                 Cargo/John Varvatos

Men’s Fashion Fall/Winter 2008-9/ Paris Collections January 26, 2008

We are still in the beginning of 2008, yet designers are already showing next year’s fashion trends. Handy if you are on the lookout for a bargain which you can enjoy this and next year. There were some nice things, but some inexplicable tasteless collections too, i.e. Ann Demeulemeester and Ungaro. Why guys? Why are you designing things that will just make people look ridiculous when they wear them? Check out the Paris Collections.

Also, I was surprised to see the Raf Simons collection, full of anorexic, yes anorexic!! male models wearing gigantic shoes and Star Trek inspired tops! I like a man who takes risks when dressing, but this is just ridiculous.

But it was’t all that bad. For example:

Miharayasuhiro
- The suits were my favorite part in this collection; a classic slim fit. I also liked their biker jackets, which was a nice cross between old school, preppy and 60s rock-n-roll. The down vests were also amazing.

Viktor & Rolf
- The collection featured some fantastic 3 piece suits with leather detailing. Also, the more classical suits in muted tones were good.

Trends that everybody can follow:
- Hats: top hats, newsboy caps, beanie caps, knit hats, skullies, ivy caps, fur hats, anything goes. If in doubt wear a hat and consider yourself dressed.
- Knits worn under jackets: do remember to wear your knits under your suit jacket. Tres elegant and 2008/9. Fitted knits that is.

A weekend Upstate NY: a guy’s essentials October 27, 2007

Johnston & Murphy blutcher boots

It is mid autumn now, and winter is round the corner. Good times for getting together with friends, log fires, walks in the woods upstate NY, preparing a beef bourguignonne for a beloved one and curling up with a nice glass of red and a good book. Are you ready for all of this? Let’s take a look at your closet and make sure you have all the essentials in there.

- Walking boots: Get a nice pair of classic blucher ankle boots. Casual, and far more stylish than your average boot on high street stores.
- A nice warm coat, which doubles as a city coat too. Check out Burlington Factory and www.oaknyc.com
- Cordroys in an auturm pallete: browns, dark or olive greens, greys and throw a brick one if you crave a funkier version. Tons of versions at J. Crew.
- A fisherman’s sweater. Check out S.N.S. Herning, available at www.oaknyc.com . They’re great, warm yet stylish

Happy Fall!

NYC FASHION WEEK-SPRING 08- MEN READY TO WEAR September 10, 2007

Men’s fashion for spring 08 equals effortless style: your outfit should take you from the beach to the city and then back to the sand dunes. However, all this is done with style, no slouchy, ragged pants or anything boho or unkept. Finally, it seems that khaki cutoffs + T-shirt combo is a look of the past. Thank heavens. Lots of tennis-type shorts paired with sleek tops and jackets, neutrals, white & black, and a smart pinstripe suit will give a breath of fresh air to any wardrobe. Also look out for colored denim paired with charcoal and black jackets and a white shirt, very cool. Check out the men’s collections here.

Michael Bastian

Everything looked relaxed in this collection, from blazers to jackets to karate pants. However, the materials used were luxurious; a lot of linen and luxe cashmere, made those simple designs simply wonderful. This was one of my favorite collections so far.

Perry Ellis

There were some key items in this collection, which truly would help a somewhat dull summer wardrobe get some funk. I loved the linen cargo shorts and colorful nylon jackets in warm summer colors. The pinstriped jeans are a must-have.

Tony Mellilo

This collection celebrates one of the most basic rules that every fashionista follows: pairing classic basics with a couple of fun touches. Colors are either neutral or black and white for endless combinations. Also, this year pairing a black jacket with matching shorts is something to be admired. Personally I am not a fan of shorts and jackets unless you’re tall like a basketball player. Bermudas and hoodies were also big in this collection which sometimes seemed that the guys were all borrowing clothes from one another.

More collections to come!

Not a Rainy Day July 19, 2007

John Varvatos rain jacket at Nordstrom

There is one reason to be excited when you wake up in the morning and find out that it will be a rainy day. Just pull out your fab new rain coat. The latest, hot designs offer a dressier version of a summer day jacket, but are more funky than a classical trench. Your outfit will be intact by those raindrops, plus you’ll wear your coat all summer and most of the fall.

As this is a wardrobe staple, there are a ton of options in stores, so you should be able to find your perfect match in no time. I vote for black as it is more classic color, but less conventional for a raincoat. And don’t forget to look for sleek lines.

…and there will never be a rainy day again…

Stripes on Stripes April 17, 2007

Polo Shirt & Tie
Stripes is one of the main trends for this spring, a classical look that is big again. To adopt this look and make it look fresh again try wearing stripes on stripes. This can be done tastefully, as long as you remember a couple of rules:

- Stick with one color scheme to make things safer for you. For example, if you want to pair a striped blue and white suit with a striped shirt, the shirt should be the same blue and white as your suit is.

- If you want to do the striped suit & striped shirt combo, make sure the finer stripes are on your shirt. If you are going to wear a tie, wear it in a solid color.

- When you want to wear a stripped shirt with a stripped tie, keep the finer stripes for the shirt and keep the same color scheme. In this case your suit should be a solid color.

- Boss and Ralph Lauren have some nice stripped suits this season, which are really versatile and can take you from the office to a night out, or if worn with sneakers and a T, are perfect for those summer parties.

- Something to try: I really like the striped shirt & tie combination with jeans, sneakers and a vest.

The Summer Suit March 27, 2007

Polo Ralph Lauren at SAKS.com

The one thing that a man needs to have in his closet is a summer suit. By that I mean a nice cotton khaki suit. There are some great ones in stores right now and mostly all designers offer them, so the selection is wide to suit you all. However there are a few things that one should know about a khaki suit:

- You can dress it up and/or down: you can pair your suit with a dark tie & shoes and soft colored buttoned down shirts and wear them to work or a fancy party. If you want to wear a khaki suit in a more casual way, get a more fitted suit with flat front pants, and then pair it with a polo shirt and sneakers (all in the same color palette please, to keep the look clean-cut and simple).

- Your socks should be the same color as your pants or a tone lighter. Dark socks with light colored pants is just NOT done and everyone will be looking at your socks instead of you!

- Fassionistas wear fitted suits now, but you have to have a great body to pull it off. So I recommend to always choose styles that complement your body type and your age. A pot belly and a slim pant is a look to be avoided at all costs.

I’ll be on the lookout for the best dressed among you all season. Cheers!

Men: what to get and what to loose / spring 2007 March 3, 2007

Hey guys, these are some easy suggestions to update any spring wardrobe.

Paul Smith Jacket www.mainlinemenswear.co.uk

New things to get / apparel:
- A new white shirt. Check out for options with stitching details. Emporio Armani has some nice ones.
- A patterned shirt. Pair it with a strict/dark suit for a spring business look.
- A tennis sweater. This spring pair it with distressed jeans to create a contemporary look.
- A cashmere V-neck sweater in a light color. Perfect for spring and you’ll find them everywhere.
- A nice light weight spring jacket. Paul Smith has some great ones.

Dakota bag from Fossil www.macys.com

New things to get / accessories
- Get a nice big messenger bag. I like the one from Fossil.
- How about introducing the plaid trend in your wardrobe? You can get a plaid cap or a tie. If you are over 40 try a simpler pattern.
- Sneakers in a muted color but with colorful details. Tod’s have great ones, www.todsonline.com. Besides jeans, you can pair them with all those light colored suits.

Get rid of:
- Tight T-shirts. It is over. Over. OVER! Get fitted Ts please.
- Belts with large buckles. Please.
- Little bags. The designer Valentino said that ‘a little bag is ridiculous‘. Couldn’t agree more.

And to top it all off and really get ready for spring, go and get a nice haircut. It will make you look younger, hipper, sophisticated and ready for spring.

What will Men wear in the fall/winter 07? February 7, 2007

NYC Fashion Week 07 is moving along just fine despite everyone’s craze about it and the bitter cold weather. As we are almost half way through it we can safely present some of the trends, the colors and some of the interesting collections to look at.

We’ll keep it short and sweet:

Trends and Fashion Dos:
- Knee length boots, with pants tucked in (it is back again, but if you’re not a tall guy, leave it for the others). They pair them with everything from jeans to suits. However, remember a general rule: a suit needs dressier boots than the ones you wear with jeans.
- Subtle, elegant detailing on cardigans and sweaters
- Tailored suits always worn with a waistcoat. We have the revival of the 30s and 40s style
- For the younger crowd: scruffy edges on elegant and structured knits
- Fitted leather jackets with dressy pants
- Stripes (beware, as this can be a tricky one. Remember horizontal stripes make you appear wider!)
- Voluminous coats (again, if you are not tall, go for the fitted version)
- Layers still go strong

Colors:
- Yellow detailing (some is nice, too much and you’ll look like a canary)
- Black always and everywhere
- Grey, oatmeal, shades of white

Trendy but a Fashion Don’t:
- Cropped pants. Why make yourself appear shorter? Just leave it for the catwalk and buy normal length pants.
- Long skirts. Even on the cutest models this just looks weird. Maybe if you’re a Scotchman and you like kilts, you can wear one occasionally, but keep the length at knee level.

Interesting collections so far, worth checking them out, men.style.com:
- Jil Sander
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Hermes: among my favorite collections this year
- Burberry Propsum
- Ann Demeulemeester
- John Varvatos

Stay tuned for more tips as we move through the week, provided that I don’t overdo it with the parties. Cheers!